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\  !  OJ  (440* 


No.  27- 

THE  LIFE  PI;  EIL 

trmh* 
.-,du/H 

Cay  upon 

most  of  our\voster|v  Lakes  and  rivers,  I  took  the  j .recant ton 
lu  pro\idc  myselfwith  a  lit'  t  construction, 

isousfor  doing  this  v  I  great 

coiijiufm-.  in  thes*s  siyiple  instruments.  They  are  construc- 
ted on  principle  perfectly  philosophical.  Several  individu- 
al.-, from  the  qirele  of  my  own  acquaintance  had  been  paved 
by  them  when  in  imminent  peril.  The  expense  of  the  article 
was  vr-  v  trilling.  It  was  tiol  at  all  in  the  way.  So  far  from 
|His,  j  found  it  a  positive  convener.!  cushion  by  day 

ami  a  pillow  by  night. 

!Mj   cu&tprn    was,  every  night   Vcfore   retiring  to  sleep,  io 
v  life-preserver,  an  1  see  tliat  it  was  where  I  could 
place  my  hand   upon    it  in  otU-n  when    tiie 

winds  blew,  and  the  -.it.  I  fr\t  a 

n  the  post  i  hatwhich.with  the  bless- 

ing of  pod.  might  preserve  me  in  an  emergency  ;  and  this 
of  it  iejf  amply  repaid  me  for  my  piiffcbs  ■  ■ 

Sooiiarterenterin.il  the  Mississippi  river,  we  wore  not  a 
little  agitated  by  an  accident  whieh  befell  the  boat.  The  night 
nk  and  tempestuous;,  and  the  "Father  of  svaters"  angry 
and  irighttiil.  The  passengers  sprung  from  their  heiths,  and 
rushed  together  into  the  main  saloon.  The  accident,  proved 
to  bo  of  small  consequence;  and  th  •  erv  goou  subsi- 

de. 1. 

Returning  to  my  state  room  %\  i'li  this  incident  fresh  in  mind 
T  fell  into  a  Sort  o'f  waking  dream,  1  thought  I  was  oft  one  of 
our  inland  seas,  in  a  violent  tempest.     Our  vessel,  dismasted 


-  Tiir.    LIFE    PRESERVER. 

and  disabled,  was  rapidly  driving  on  a  lee  shore.  Death,  in 
one  of  its  most  frightful  forma,  was  staring  ns  in  the  face,  for 
the  captain  was  heard  to  say,  "We  arc  all  gone  for  this  world." 
The  passengers  were  evidently  making  ready  for  the  last 
struggle.  And  now  1  observed,  for  the  first  time,  that  some, 
amid  the  general  consternation,  seemed  perfectly  calm  and 
oomposed.  They  were  very  solemn  but  gave  no  sign  of  fear 
On  looking  again,  I  saw  that  they  were  provided  with  life- 
preservers,  large  and  strong,  of  the  very  best  kind.  These 
they  had  already  attached  to  their  persons,  and  feeling  the 
utmost  confidence  in  this  means  of  preservation,  they  were 
quietly  awaiting  the  issue.  An  emotion  of  joy  was  depicted 
on  their  countenances,  as  if  they  were  thankingGod  that  they 
had  secured,  in  good  season  what  was  now  of  great  price*. 

But  how  shall  1  describe  the  terrors  and  dismay  of  the  other 
passengers,  as  they  passed  to  and  fro  before  my  eye.  Very 
few  had  any  hope  of  reaching  the  shore.  Their  faces  were 
pale,  and  they  wrung  their  hands  in  despair. 

'•  What  a  fool  I  was,"  said  one.  "  that  I  did  not  buy  a  life- 
preserver  before  1  loft  home.  I  always  meant  to  do  it.  They 
were  exposed  for  sale  right  before  my  eye  every  day.  My 
friends  entreated  me  to  procure  one,  and  I  promised  that  I 
would.  I  thought  1  could  obtain  onoat  any  time.  But  I  put 
it  ojr\  and  noiv  it  is  too  late." 

'*  I did  not  believe  there  was  any  danger."  naid  another.  ''I 
have  passed  over  these  lakes  many  times,  and  never  saw 
such  a  storm  before.  'Tis  true,  I  was  warned  that  come 
they  would,  in  an  hour  when  I  looked  not  for  them  ;  but  as 
I  had  passed  safely  without  a  life-preserver  before  I  concluded 
to  run  the  risk  anain." 

Another  I  observed  hastening  to  his  trunk,  and  returning 
instantly  with  the  case  of  a  life  preserver  in  his  hand,  but  an 
expression  of  blank  despair  on  lus  countenance.  The  article 
had  once  been  good,  but  he  had  not  taken  care  of  it.  Tie  had 
thrown  it  loosely  among  his  effects, and  it  had  been  punctured 
by  a  pin.  It  was  now  a  .mockery  of  his  woe.  He  tried  to 
mend  it.  but  this  was  impossible.  There  was  not  time  for  this. 

Another  produced  with  groat  joy  what  seemed  an  excellent 
life  preserver,  but  when  he  proceeded  to  adjust  it,  he  found 
that  he  had  been  cheated  It  was  a  counterfeit  article.  Ho 
did  not  procure  it  at  the  right  place.  To  all  appearance  it  was 
sound,     It  would  retain  its  shape  and  buoyancy  for   a  while 


VTIT.    LTF1     PRF..31  R  V  >  R  -; 

but  would  not   bear  the  pressure  or'  a  man's  u  ' \     it 

would  answer  very  well  for  a  few  minute-sin  smooth  water,  but 
rovkl  net  b*  relied  on  in  an  emergency.  He  had  never  examin- 
ed it  before;  and  now,  in  the  hour  of  need,  found  it  utter- 
ly worthier. 

At  length  my  eye  was  arretted  by  a  young  man  who  had 
been  notorious  throughout  the  voyage  for  hi*  gayety  and 
frivolity.  On  one  occasion,  during  a  pleasant  day.  he  had 
made  sport  of  those  who  had  wisely  prepared  for  the  time 
of  peril.  He  pronounced  their  forethought  a  waste  of  money. 
And  now  I  saw  him  addressing  a  gentleman  whom  he  had 
previously  ridiculed,  and  in  a  subdued  and  anxious  manner 
inquiring  whether  his  life-preserver  was  not  capable  of  saving 
them  both.  The  man  replied  that  he  would  most  gladly  ex- 
tend any  help  in  his  power, but  it  was  made  only  for  one  person 
and  was  not  warranted  to  sustain  more. 

Reader,  tukrris  a  Hoi'K  WHICH  is  as  an  ANCHOR  TO  THE  SOUL, 
both  sure  and  STEADFAST.  The  ground  on  which  it  rests  is 
the  mercy  of  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  time 
fa  floating  when  you  will  certainly  need  it.  Life  may  now  be 
like  a  smooth  and  sunny  sea,  but  very  soon  you  will  be  amid 
the  swellings,  of  Jordan. 

A  good  hope  in  Christ  is  certain  to  sate.  Never  did  one  per- 
ish who  possessed  it.  It  was  never  known  to  disappoint  in  the 
time  of  need.  Millions  have  been  saved  by  it ;  and  God  has 
promised  that  it  shall  never  make  ashamed.  Is  it  not  wise 
for  you    to  obtain  it  'i 

To  say  the  least  it  can  do  yon  no  harm,  should  there  be  no 
judgment  nor  retribution.  It  cannot  encumber  you  during 
your  lifetime.  It  is  worth  every  thing  even  in  prosperous 
days  and  beneath  cloudless  skies.  The  sense  of  security  which 
religion  creates  is  ot  great  price.  To  know  that  whatever 
may  happen,  you  are  safe:  to  be  confident  that  "neither 
life  nor  death,  things  present  nor  things  to  come,  nor  height, 
nor  depth,  nor  any  other  creature,  shall  be  able  to  separate 
us  from  the  love  of  God  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord;" 
is  it  not  worth  more  than  all  silver  and  gold  ? 

Moreover,  this  hope  may  easily  be  obtained.  It  is  "set  be- 
fore you."  It  is  pressed  upon  your  acceptance.  Because  of 
this,  do  not  say  that  you  can  obtain  it  nt  any  time.  Fortius 
is  not  true.  There  is  no  time  to  forge  and  bend  an  anchor 
when  the  storm  is  raging.     It"  you  postpone  repentance  too 


mi:  1.1  rt:   v)\y.   i  n  \ 


long,  UUappuiiUiucut  and  de  jtruel  i 

outjemerfy.     l>o  not  delay   the  pursuit  of  region.     Seek   H 

first  of  all.  Pious  friends  entreat  you  to  seek  it  now.  The 
experience  of  those  who  have  delayed  too  long,  and  died 
"without  hope,  "  warns  you  to  be  wise  in  season. 

Be  careful  that  your  hope  is  of  the  right.  I  mil.  There  i 
"hope  whiMi  perisbeth  y.h.-n  CJod  taketh  nwav  the  soul!  Th<-r.- 
are  false  spirit-,  false  religions,  false  hopes,  and  countertei'i 
graces-  Examine  werl  the  hop!'  which  is  in  you,  P>e  sure 
that  it  rests  on  the  right .foundation,  Jesus  Christ  being  the 
chief  corner-stone. 

If  you  have  found  hope  in  Christ,  take  earr  of  ymr  hop?. 
Protect  it  from  injury;  watch  it  ;  keep  it  with  all  diligence 
And  as  you  cannot  toll  the  day  nor  the  hour  when  the  Son 
of  man  com'eth,  be  always  ready.  Let  your  light  be  trimmed 
and  burning  as  men  that  wait  for  .their  Lord.  Death  e*ftn- 
n  over  be  unexpected,  if  yon  are  always  anticipating  it  ;  nev- 
er sudden  if  you  are  always  prepared  fur  it. 

Remember,  that  religion  is  a  concern  between  your  own 
soul  and  (<od.  The  conduct  of  others  is  no  excuse  for  you. 
He  that  is  wise,  is  wise  for  himself;  and  he  that  seornrth 
lie  alone  must  hear  it.  Soon,  very  soon  the  hour  of  trial 
will  come.  The  winds  will  blow.  the.  rain  fall,  and  the  floods 
come,  and  the  great  storm  beat  against  your  house.  You 
rnusr  go  down  into  the  river  of  death  alone.  Friends  cannot 
go  with  you;  they  cannot  help  you.  But  ■' hethat  believetii 
in  Jesus  is  safe."  even  when  the  waves  and  billows  go  over 
his  soul.  The  arm  of  the  Redeemerwil!  keep  you  from  sink- 
ing; and  amidst  the  pains  and  mysteries  of  dying,  you  may 
lift  up  your  head  and  say.  "Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect 
peace  whose  mind  iastajred  on  thee  ;  "  and  a  voice  from  heav- 
en shall  answer,  "Fear  not:  when  thou  passest  through  the 
waters,  I  will  be  with  thee  :  and  through  the  river.-  they 
shall  not  overflow  the<  ;"  and  borne  along  by  the  "everlas- 
ting arms"  which  are  beneath  you  you  ah  nil  reach  in  safety 
that  peaceful  shore  where  the  grateful  spirit  shall  vest  with 
God. 


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